Christie: Unemployment, deficit both higher

He signed eight executive orders. Four dealt with freezing, reviewing or revising state regulations. Another keeps Atlantic City casinos open in the case of a future government shutdown. The most politically explosive adds labor unions to the list of entities whose campaign contributions are limited by pay-to-play rules.

Unemployment in New Jersey rose to 10.1% in December, putting it higher than the national average.

The Corzine administration had information, which it didn’t share with Christie’s transition despite requested requests, forecasting that revenue for FY2010 would be $1.2 billion behind budget. It had dealt with the problem created by a $373 million revenue shortfall, plus increased spending demands. Christie said the new current-year problem is roughly $1 billion.

Christie will meet with his economic team tomorrow. Layoffs and furloughs will be among the topics discussed. He’s been saying the state could miss payroll come March, and he now says that date could be a lot closer.

The state has already paid, by wire transfer, the $121 million in special municipal aid to five cities that Christie said last week, when it was awarded, that he’d review.

Christie said the first group he encountered when arriving at the Statehouse this morning was some elementary school kids from Colts Neck Conover Road Elementary School in Freehold touring the building. He said he’d never taken the tour, so he tagged along. Photos here.

Christie wore an American flag tie for his first day at the new office. After signing the executive orders, he handed the pens used to sign each to people with a stake in that issue — ie., the Atlantic County area members of the Assembly got the pens for the casino-related order. Christie pocketed the union/pay-to-play pen: “I’m keeping that one for myself.”

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About Michael Symons

Michael Symons has covered seven governors while working in Gannett's Statehouse Bureau -- a stint which actually only stretches back to 2000, but the door revolves quickly in New Jersey politics. He's co-author of the biography "Chris Christie: The Inside Story of His Rise to Power."

Christie left us with the impression there was nothing that could be done regarding the aid that’s been paid out.

And he didn’t say there was anything criminal about the actions taken regarding not sharing the information about the deficit. But he did say the outgoing Treasury team was increasingly unresponsive to that repeated request for revenue projections as the transition went on.

About the Authors

Bob JordanBob Jordan has covered state, county and muncipal governments for the past 10 years. He has also covered the gaming industry and has been a sports team beat writer for NHL, NBA and major league baseball teams.E-mail Bob

John SchoonejongenJohn Schoonejongen is state editor for Gannett New Jersey newspapers. He has reported and edited at New Jersey newspapers from Salem County to Passaic County, writing about everything from state politics to lost pigs on the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Born in Camden County, he still speaks with a southern New Jersey accent, much to his wife's annoyance.E-mail John

Michael SymonsMichael Symons has covered seven governors while working in Gannett's Statehouse Bureau -- a stint which actually only stretches back to 2000, but the door revolves quickly in New Jersey politics. He's co-author of the biography "Chris Christie: The Inside Story of His Rise to Power."E-mail Michael